Automatic train-control system



Dec. 16, 1930.

W. H. REICHARD AUTOMATIC TRAIN CONTROL SYSTEM Filed July 15, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENT BY z/ ATTORN-EY Dec. 16, 1930. w. H. REICHARD 5, 3

AUTOMATIC TRAIN CONTROL SYSTEM Filed July 15, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTO BY w. 954 W I ATTO F Y I Dec. 16, 1930. w. H. REICHARD 85,703

AUTOMATIC TRAIN CONTROL SYSTEM Filed July 15, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVEN o Dec. 16, 1930. w, RElcHARD 1,785,703

AUTOMATIC TRAIN CONTROL SYSTEM Filed July 15, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 BY zwmw WMM ATTORNEY UNITED STA .WADE H. REICHARD, 0E RocHEsTER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOB 'ro GENERAL RAILWAY Patented Dec. 16, 1930 SIGNAL COJSIIIEANY, OF ROCHESTER, N EW'YOBK 'AUTOMATIC TRAIN-CONTROL SYSTEM Application filed July 15,

This invention relates in general to automatic train control, and has more particular reference to an electro-magnetic valve of improved type, particularly adapted for use "in such systems.

' Intrain control systems such as disclosed in detail in the Reichard application 358,577, filed April 27, 1929, there is employed an electr'o-magnetic valve which, when energ'ized, prevents an automatic application of the brakes but which, when de-energized, vents the air line or equivalent part to cause an automatic brake application. 4

One of the objects of this invention ,is to provide an electro-magnetic valve, for train control systems, having an improved core structure which facilitates the manufacture and the assembly of the same and permits ready adjustment of the magnetic characteristics thereof.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved connection between an electrically operated spindle and the stem of ajvalve operated by the spindle. p A further object of the invention is to provide an improved adjusting means for adjusting the position of a'va-lve stem relatively to an operating spindle therefor.

Further objects, purposes and characteristic features willa'ppear as the description ro resses reference bein jmade to the ac companying drawings showing, solely by way of example, and in no manner in a limit- 1ng-sen'se,;one form which the invention can assume, In the draw1ng.:

' 7 control system" employing the improved shown, in a wholly diagrammatic manner, a

electro-magnetic valve of this invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation, with partsshowri inlsection, of the valve according to this in vention a y :Fig. 3 is a sectional .vi'ewion lines 33 of.

7 Figs. Qand 4.

Flgffls atop plan view of the valve. i

7 Fig.6 isza sectional vie on line 5-5 of ig.2; f i Fig. is a sectional View on line 66 of Referring firstto-Fig; 1, there i's-here 1929. Serial in. 378,323,

alternating current and at times induce currents in two receiver secondary windings S, which latter energize coils G on the valve V to thereby maintain the valve member 1 seated, to prevent the ventin'g of a'brake valve actuator cylinder 2 to atmosphere through a port 3. In this manner, under safe trafiic conditions, the valve member is maintained seated and the brakes are held off,

while under unsafe conditions, coils C are de-energized, thereby to permit valve member. 1 to open andvent cylinder 2 and cause an automatic brake application.

No further description of the parts shown in Fig. 1 is deemed necessary, or desirable,

since the present invention more particularly involves the structural details of the valve V. Referring now to the other figures of the drawing, the valve V 'includesa face plate P, having a shelf-like extension S at one side, and, having a core and coil carrying bracket B fastened .to the other side by means of screws 4 or the like. i

The bracket B has two plate-like members 5, which bear against one face of the plate P,

I I and an outerplate-like member 6 spaced from Fig.1 isa diagrammatic view of a train members 5. Projecting outwardly from memberfG are two arms 7 for a purpose to be later described. o

The core structure of the valve, built up of laminae, is in the general form of a horse shoe and comprises two separateleg members L, and a back strap BS. Each ofthe leg members L 'is rigidly bolted to the bracket B as i by connecting means 8.' Sleeved over the free ends of the legs L of the core, arecoils 9 which bear at one end against plate memher 6. y

Clamp'ed tob'ridge across the outer ends of the legs L, is the back strap BS, which 18 built up of a plurality of fibre strips 10,-with laminae 11 f transformer iron clamped between the strips as by bolts 12' whereby to "facilitate the ready adjustment of the cross section of the back strap by adding or removing laminae therefrom, to obtain the desired magnetic characteristics of the core structure. V v e A clamp member 13 isv clamped over the back strap BS, and fastened to the ends of arms 7 by means of screws 14, whereby clamp 13 can be tightened into place to tightly draw the back strap against the ends of the legs L and securely hold the coils 9, which are sub stantiall flush with the ends of the legs, y

tened an armature 18" positioned to rock between opposite side faces of the core legs L,

these legs L being offset laterally, asshown most clearly in Fig. 6, to thus accommodate the armature 18.

Fastend to spindle 17, is a carrier member 19, to which is fastened one end of'a U-shaped' leaf spring 20, as by means of screws 21, the other end of spring 20 being received in a $101122 in spindle 17 and free to move a limited amount within such slot.

Bearing against the free end of spring 20,

adj acent the spindle. 17, is the end of a stem' 23 of valve member 1, which'is biased by means ofa coil spring 24 to open position,

' to thereby vent the passage 25,which is connected to the cylinder 2, for example, of Fig. 1 to atmosphere through the port 3.v

Valve 1 is carried in a housing 26 which is.

screwed into a carrier 27 which is cylindrical in form and rotatably' received in shelf S.

35 onthe shelf member S.

As best seen in Fig. 2, housing 26 isieccentrically carried in the member 27, and can be. 7

rigidly clamped therein by. means .Of the split coupling 28.

Carrier 27 bym'eans' of a retaining member 29 which fits over-the edge of 27 and can be tightened down bya screw 30. Member27 is also clamped in place by a retaining member 31, beneath which is atoothedad usting member 32 having .teeth 33 for meshingwith teeth 3&1 on the adjacent portion of the periphery ofmemg, 7

her 27, member32 being held against turning,

when clampedldowmbymeans of a shoulder By releasing clamp members By then replacing toothed member 32 inits seat, andreclamping members 29 and 31, the above desired adjustment is readily and securely retained.

clamped inadjusted, position 29 and 31 and then removinlg' toothed member 32, fcarrier 27 can be turned toythereby adjustthe point of contact between the end of thevalve' stem 23, and thespring 20, to the desired position.

The coilspring 24 is strong enough to operate through valvestem 23, spring 20, mem ber 19 and spindle 17 to move armature 18 to retracted position when coils 9 are de-energized. On energization of coils 9, however, armature 18 is attracted to the leg members L of the core structure to thereby rock spindle 17 and member 19 connected thereto whereby to move spring 20 upwardly so as to close the valve member 1 and-prevent venting of air pressure and thus prevent an. automatic brake application. Spring 20 is adjusted so as to bias valve member 1 to closed position, when armature 18 is. in attracted position. Any tendency of spring 20 to open up and not move away from stem 23 when armature 18 moves to retracted position, is prevented by the upper face of slot 22 in spindle 17 which positively moves theffree end of spring20 away from valve stem 23.

The above described structure thus provides an improved core structure which can be cheaply and readily manufactured, assembled and adjusted; a connection" between the armature actuating spindle and the actu ated air control :valve which ispositivein action, simplein construction and practically immune from failure; and a simple andreadily operated adjusting means for adjusting, andthen clamping in adjusted position, the

member. r

The above. rather specific. description of a device embodying this invention, is 1 given solely'by way of illustration, andis notintended, in any manner whatsoever, in a lim-i itingsense. p Obviously, thi's invention can as-. sume many different physical forms, andis susceptible of various modifications, and all such forms and modifications are desired to'be included by this invention, s come within the scope of the appended claims;

. Having described y invention, I now air valve relatively to its actuating spring:

claim: I V

1.111 1 an electro-magnetic valve fortrain control systems, in combinatiomfa'valve for controlling an air line, a IU-shaped field core comprising separate laterally ofiset legs and a separate back yoke butted, andfclamped, against ends of said le'gs and an armaturef pivoted tooperate between and against side 1 faces of said oil'set legs an'd actuate said valve.

' 2. In an electromagnetic valve fortrain control systems, in combination, a valve for controlling an air line, an armature connected I to actuate the valve, and a U-shapedfield 7 core comprising separate laterally offset legs and a separate back, yoke butted, and-clamped, against ends of said legs, said back yoke. ineluding a plurality of spaced longitudinal strips of non-magnetic material with longitu dinal bundlesrof laminaeofmagnetic mate rialclainpe'd therebetween."

3. In an electro-magnetic valve for train control systems,in' combination, a valve for controlling an air line, an armature connected separate back yoke butted, and clamped,

against ends of said legs, a spring biasing the valve to open position, a spindle carrying said armature, a slot in the spindle, a looped leaf spring'fastened atone end to the spindle and "loosely received at its other end in the slot in the spindle, and a stem for the valve resting on the leaf spring.

f 4. In an electro-magnetic valve for train control systems, in combination, a valve for controlling an air line, an armature connected to actuate the valve,a U-shaped field core comprising separate laterally offset legs and a separate back yoke butted, and

, clamped,'against ends of said legs, said back yoke including a plurality of spaced strips of non-magnetic material with lamina magnetic material clamped therebetween, a spring biasing the valve to open position, a spindle carrying said armature, a slot in the spindle, a looped leaf spring fastened at one end to the spindle and loosely received at its other end in the slot in the spindle, and a steam for the valve resting on the leaf spring.

5. In an electro-magnetic valve for train control systems, in combination, a valve for controlling an air line, an armature connected to actuate the valve, a U-shaped field core comprising separate laterally offset legs and a separate back yoke butted, and clamped, against ends of said legs,a spring biasing the valve to open position, a spindle carrying said armature, a slot in the spindle, a looped leaf spring fastened'at one endto the spindle and loosely received at its other end in the slot in the spindle, a stem for the valve resting on the leaf spring, a housing for the valve eccentrically fixed in an ad usting member,

and releasable toothed clamp means for the adjusting member for clamping the adjusting member in position.

6. In an electro-magnetic valve for train control systems, in combination, a valve for controlling an air line, an armature connected to actuate the valve, a U-shaped field core comprising separate laterally offset legs and a separate back yoke butted, and clamped, against ends of said legs, said back yoke including a plurality of spaced strips of non-magnetic material with magnetic material clamped therebetween, a spring biasing the valve to "open position, a spindle carrying said armature, a slotin the spindle, a looped leaf spring fastened at Oneend to the spindle'and loosely received at its other end in the slot in the spindle, a stem'for the valve resting on the leaf spring, a housing for the valve, and a toothed rockable" adjusting member eccentrically receiving the housing,whereby to adjust the I point of contact-"between the valve stem and theleaf spring. I

. inan electro-magnetic valve for train bridging the ends of, the legs, a projecting shelf on the bracket, coils on the legs and clamped between the projecting shelf and the back yoke and an armature positioned to operate between the offset legs. I

8. In an electro-magnetic valve for train control, a plate, an angle shelf in the form of a downwardly extended elbow on one face of the plate, a bracket fixed to the other face of the plate, substantially parallel, laterally offset, magnetic core legs fixed to the bracket, a back yoke, a clamp fastened to the bracket and clamping the back yoke against, and bridging the ends of, the legs, a projecting shelf on the bracket, coils von the legs and clamped between the projecting shelf and the back yoke, a spindle passing through the plate and pivoted in the bracket and the lower arm of the angle shelf, and an armature on the spindle rockable between, and against opposite side faces of, said core legs.

9. In an electro-magnetic valve for train control, a plate, an angle shelf in the form of a downwardly extended elbow on one face of the plate, a bracket fixed to the other face of the plate, substantially parallel, laterally offset, magnetic core legs fixed to the bracket, a back yoke, a clamp fastened to the bracket and clamping the back yoke against, and bridging the ends of, the legs, a projectin shelf on the bracket, coils on the legs and clamped between the projecting shelf and the back yoke, a spindle passing through the plate and pivoted in the bracket and the lower arm of the angle shelf, an armature on the spindle rockable between, and against opposite side faces of, said core legs, an air vent valve adjustably carried by the angle shelf, and a resilient operative connection between the valve and the spindle.

In testimony whereof I aflix'my signature.

IVADE H. REICHARD. 

